Analysis of Ecuador's SCOPUS scientific production during the 2001-2020 period by means of standardized citation indicators

An analysis of the scientific production of Ecuador is performed by means of the composite indicator computed for Ecuador-based authors as compared to their counterparts of other South American countries. The dataset employed was obtained from the Databricks platform of the ELSEVIER's International Center for Science Research, ICSR. Therefore, this analysis is limited to the metadata of the documents published in journals indexed in SCOPUS. Comparison of the results obtained for two decades: 2001-2010 and 2011-2020 showed that the number of Ecuador-based researchers has significantly increased in different areas of knowledge. Moreover, comparison between the total number of authors that worked in Ecuador at any given year of the 2011-2020 period and the number of authors that are still working in this country up to the date of the data extraction (i.e., June 2021) showed an average of ∼68% of permanency. Analysis of the percentage distribution in terms of range quarters of the composite indicator (i.e., Q4: 0-1.5, Q3: 1.5-3.0, Q2: 3.0-4.5, and Q1: 4.5-6.0) showed that nearly the totality of the Ecuador-based researchers has composite indicators that lay in the Q4 and Q3 ranges for all the scientific fields considered. The latter was observed to be an effect of the scientific impact of South American countries, with larger investments in science and technology in comparison to Ecuador (i.e., Argentina, Brazil, and Chile). Exclusion of this group of countries in the calculation of the composite indicator of Ecuador-based authors resulted in a noticeable increment of scientists with composite indicators within Q2. Finally, our results suggest, in agreement with previous studies, a correlation between the sustained growth of scientific productivity in the decade 2011-2020 with the scientific programs and policies created by the state, where the initiative of scientific culture is shown as a strategy for growth and development.

Satisfaction and experience with colorectal cancer screening: a systematic review of validated patient reported outcome measures

BACKGROUND

Patient satisfaction or experience with colorectal cancer screening can determine adherence to screening programs. An evaluation of validated patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for measuring experience or satisfaction with colorectal cancer screening does not exist. Our objective was to identify and critically appraise validated questionnaires for measuring patient satisfaction or experience with colorectal cancer screening.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review following the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology. We conducted searches on MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL and BiblioPRO and assessed the methodological quality of studies and measurement properties of questionnaires according to the COSMIN guidelines for systematic reviews of PROMs. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019118527.

RESULTS

We included 80 studies that used 75 questionnaires, of which only 5 were validated. Four questionnaires measured satisfaction with endoscopy: two in the context of colorectal cancer screening (for colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy) and two for non-screening endoscopy. One questionnaire measured satisfaction with bowel preparation. The methodological quality of studies was variable. The questionnaires with evidence for sufficient content validity and internal consistency were: the CSSQP questionnaire, which measures safety and satisfaction with screening colonoscopy, and the Post-Procedure questionnaire which measures satisfaction with non-screening endoscopic procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review shows that a minority of existing PROMs for measuring patient satisfaction with colorectal cancer screening are validated. We identified two questionnaires with high potential for further use (CSSQP and the Post-Procedure questionnaire).

Androgen deprivation therapy in patients with localized disease: Comparison with curative intent treatments and time to castration resistance. Results of the Spanish Prostate Cancer Registry

BACKGROUND

The effect of primary androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) has not been well documented. The objective of the present study was to analyze the outcome of tumors treated with ADT as primary therapy in the Spanish Prostate Cancer Registry (19.4% of the series).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were classified in three groups: 1) with low/intermediate risk clinically localized tumors; 2) with high risk and locally advanced (T3-4) tumors; 3) with metastatic tumors. Time to castration resistance and overall cancer-specific survival were analyzed. In non-metastatic tumors, survivals in patients treated with ADT were compared with data from patients who underwent local treatments from the Spanish Prostate Cancer Registry.

RESULTS

703 cases were analyzed. There were significant differences in the time to castration resistance, which was lower in the group of metastatic tumors. During follow-up, there were 179 deaths (25.5%) of which 89 (12.6%) were due to PCa. After 3 years of ADT, only 14.6% of patients in group 1 had died (1% due to PCa), 20.5% in group 2 and 46.8% in group 3 (9.2% and 31.3% due to PCa, respectively). Cancer-specific survival was significantly worse in group 1 using ADT than radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. In high-risk and locally advanced tumors, ADT also had a lower cancer-specific survival than local treatments.

CONCLUSION

A longer time until the castration resistance was observed in patients with well- and intermediate-risk localized tumors treated with ADT. Patients with metastatic tumors showed the shortest time to castration resistance.

Anaphylaxis to Vespa velutina nigrithorax: Pattern of Sensitization for an Emerging Problem in Western Countries

OBJECTIVE

To define the sensitization pattern of patients with anaphylaxis to Vespa velutina nigrithorax (VVN).

METHODS

We studied 100 consecutive Spanish patients with anaphylaxis to Hymenoptera venom and systematically determined specific IgE (sIgE) to whole venoms (Vespula species, Polistes dominula, Apis mellifera, Vespa crabro, and Dolichovespula maculata) and their molecular components (rApi m 1, rApi m 5, rApi m 10, rVes v 1, rVes v 5, rPol d 5, and cross-reactive carbohydrates). Specific IgE to VVN venom and its antigen 5 (nVesp v 5) were measured in a subsample.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients had anaphylaxis to VVN. Of these, only 16 (20.8%) reported previous VVN stings, but were stung by other Hymenoptera. Positive sIgE (>0.35 kUA/L) to each of the whole venoms was detected in >70% of patients (Vespula species in 100%). The components showing >50% positivity were rApi m 5 (51.4%), rPol d 5 (80.0%), and rVes v 5 (98.7%). This pattern was similar to that of Vespula species anaphylaxis (n=11) but different from that of A mellifera anaphylaxis (n=10). Specific IgE to nVesp v 5 was positive in all patients (n=15) with VVN anaphylaxis and was correlated with sIgE to both rVes v 5 (R=0.931) and rPol d 5 (R=0.887).

CONCLUSIONS

VVN has become the commonest cause of Hymenoptera anaphylaxis in our area. Most cases report no previous VVN stings. Their sensitization pattern is similar to that of patients with anaphylaxis to other Vespidae. Specific IgE to antigen-5 from VVN, Vespula species, and P dominula are strongly correlated in patients with VVN anaphylaxis.

Actitudes frente al alcohol de los estudiantes de enfermería en dos universidades Latinoamericanas

Objetivo: Comparar las actitudes de los estudiantes de enfermería de dos universidades: una de México y otra de Colombia, respecto al consumo de alcohol, el alcoholismo y los trastornos relacionados al abuso de este. Método: Estudio cuantitativo comparativo transversal. Muestra de 231 estudiantes del último año de la carrera de enfermería en dos universidades públicas latinoamericanas; participantes voluntarios mayores de edad que cursaron al menos 6 asignaturas práctico-teóricas, a quienes se les aplicó el instrumento Escala de Actitudes Frente al Alcohol, el Alcoholismo y la persona con trastornos relacionados al uso del alcohol- EAFAA, así como una encuesta sociodemográfica y académica. Se utilizó SPSS 22 y Microsoft Excel® para el análisis estadístico y se tuvieron en cuenta los principios bioéticos. Resultados: La percepción de los estudiantes respecto a las personas con trastornos relacionados al uso de alcohol (p=0.003), es diferente según la universidad, lo cual conlleva una visión distinta con relación a su fuerza de voluntad, competencia de autocuidado, entre otras características. Asimismo, se determinó que la formación brinda herramientas al estudiante para afrontar situaciones de miedo, inseguridad, frustración, que favorecen un mejor cuidado (p=0.045). Conclusiones: La presente investigación aporta al conocimiento de enfermería, ya que muestra en qué dimensiones la actitud puede afectar el trato brindado al paciente y cómo esta relación puede mejorarse a través de la formación en el área y de experiencias exitosas.

Characterization of the flow of patients in a hospital from complex networks

We study the efficiency of operations management in a hospital from the dynamics of the flow of patients. Our principal aim is to characterize strategic departments and seasonal patterns in a hospital from a complex networks approach. Process mining techniques are developed to track out-patients' pathways along different departments for the purpose of building weekly networks. In these networks, departments act as nodes with multiple out/in-going arrows connecting other departments. Strategic departments are classified into target and critical departments. On the one hand, target departments, which in this study belong to the oncology area, correspond to those affected by new management policies whose impact is to be assessed. On the other hand, critical departments correspond to the most active departments, the hubs of the networks. Using suitable networks parameters, strategic departments are shown to be highly efficient regardless of the season, which naturally translates into a high level of service offered to patients. In addition, our results show conformance with the new objectives concerning target departments. The methodology presented is shown to be successful in evaluating the efficiency of hospital services in order to enhance process performances, and moreover, it is suitable to be implemented in healthcare management systems at a greater scale and the service industry whenever the flow of clients or customers are involved.

Actual incidence of prostate cancer in healthcare areas of the autonomous community of Castilla-Leon during 2014. CAPCYL registry data

OBJECTIVE

To determine the actual incidence of prostate cancer (PC) in the healthcare areas of Castilla-Leon in 2014.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A multicentre study was conducted with the participation of 7 of the 9 healthcare areas of Castilla-Leon. We collected retrospective data that included 87.8% of the target population (men diagnosed with PC with histopathological confirmation in 2014). We calculated the raw and age-adjusted incidence rates based on the direct method and consulted the community and national epidemiological data in the Spanish National Institute of Statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 1198 new cases of PC were diagnosed, with a raw incidence rate in the community of 109.54 cases per 100,000 men. The adjusted rates for the Spanish and European populations were 115.41 and 110.07, respectively. The age group with the highest diagnostic concentration was the 60-70-year group, with 41.97% of the diagnoses. The group with the highest incidence was the 70-80-year group, with 438.87 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. There were differences in the raw and age-adjusted incidence rates and in the age at diagnosis among the various included healthcare areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The community raw incidence rate was higher than most existing data. We observed significant differences among the various geographical areas, which could be explained mainly by the age distribution and the opportunistic screening policies for each area.

Naringin prevents the inhibition of intestinal Ca2+ absorption induced by a fructose rich diet

This study tries to elucidate the mechanisms by which fructose rich diets (FRD) inhibit the rat intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption, and determine if any or all underlying alterations are prevented by naringin (NAR). Male rats were divided into: 1) controls, 2) treated with FRD, 3) treated with FRD and NAR. The intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption and proteins of the transcellular and paracellular Ca²⁺ pathways were measured. Oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammation parameters were evaluated. FRD rats showed inhibition of the intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption and decrease in the protein expression of molecules of both Ca²⁺ pathways, which were blocked by NAR. FRD rats showed an increase in the superoxide anion, a decrease in the glutathione and in the enzymatic activities of the antioxidant system, as well as an increase in the NO content and in the nitrotyrosine content of proteins. They also exhibited an increase in both IL-6 and nuclear NF-κB. All these changes were prevented by NAR. In conclusion, FRD inhibit both pathways of the intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption due to the oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammation. Since NAR prevents the oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammation, it might be a drug to avoid alteration in the intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption caused by FRD.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery and micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal lithiasis smaller than 2 CM

INTRODUCTION

Microperc is the upgraded form of percutaneous nephrolithotomy miniaturization. The aim of this study is to compare prospectively microperc and retrograde intrarenal surgery for the treatment of renal stones smaller than 2 cm.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comparative prospective study of both techniques was carried out between January 2014 and June 2015. Thirty-five patients were divided in two groups: Group A, 17 patients treated by retrograde intrarenal surgery and Group B, 18 patients treated by microperc. Stone clearance was assessed using CT scan 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Both groups were statistically comparable as demographic variables and stone size was similar (16.76 mm Group A vs 15.72 mm Group B). Success rate, hospital stay and JJ stenting were similar for both groups. There was no statistically significant difference regarding post-operatory complications: 17.64% Group A vs 5.56% Group B (p=0,062), all of them Clavien I and II. Surgical time was statistically different (63.82 min Group A vs 103.24 min Group B) as well as hemoglobin drop (0.62 g/dl Group A and 1.89 g/dl Group B).

CONCLUSION

Microperc is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of renal lithiasis smaller than 2 cm, which makes it a good alternative to retrograde intrarenal surgery for this stone size. However, more prospective studies that include a larger cohort are necessary to confirm our results.

Fertilization and connectivity in the Garrucha Canyon (SE-Spain) implications for Marine Spatial Planning

Marine Spatial Planning is usually based on benthic georeferenced information or GPS tracked human activities, whereas the pelagic ecosystem is often ignored because of scarce and limited surface information. However, the 3-D pelagic ecosystem plays a key role connecting all the other ecosystems by physical (currents) and biological (migration) processes. According to remote sensing the Garrucha Canyon is oligotrophic, but 3-D sampling reveals subsurface upwelling, and converts it into the richest area around the Cape of Gata. Vertical connectivity by means of zooplankton migration, measured at two sampling stations, is 40 and 220 times faster than microphytoplankton settling and vertical water velocities respectively. Thus coupled physical-biological connectivity models are necessary to estimate the ecosystem connection and the fate of carbon, but also other substances (e.g. radioactivity), that might accumulate throughout the food-web. This is especially important in the Garrucha Canyon and the Coastal Areas Management Programme Levante de Almería where natural heritage and extractive fishery are important for the local economy.

Inducible ablation of dopamine D2 receptors in adult mice impairs locomotion, motor skill learning and leads to severe parkinsonism

Motor execution and planning are tightly regulated by dopamine D1 and D2 receptors present in basal ganglia circuits. Although stimulation of D1 receptors is known to enhance motor function, the global effect of D2 receptor (D2R) stimulation or blockade remains highly controversial, with studies showing increasing, decreasing or no changes in motor activity. Moreover, pharmacological and genetic attempts to block or eliminate D2R have led to controversial results that questioned the importance of D2R in motor function. In this study, we generated an inducible Drd2 null-allele mouse strain that circumvented developmental compensations found in constitutive Drd2^-/- mice and allowed us to directly evaluate the participation of D2R in spontaneous locomotor activity and motor learning. We have found that loss of D2R during adulthood causes severe motor impairments, including hypolocomotion, deficits in motor coordination, impaired learning of new motor routines and spontaneous catatonia. Moreover, severe motor impairment, resting tremor and abnormal gait and posture, phenotypes reminiscent of Parkinson's disease, were evident when the mutation was induced in aged mice. Altogether, the conditional Drd2 knockout model studied here revealed the overall fundamental contribution of D2R in motor functions and explains some of the side effects elicited by D2R blockers when used in neurological and psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Tourette's syndrome, dementia, alcohol-induced delusions and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Evolutionary history of Podarcis tiliguerta on Corsica and Sardinia

Background

Podarcis tiliguerta is a wall lizard endemic to the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Previous findings of high mtDNA and morphological diversity have led to the suggestion that it may represent a species complex. Here, we analysed mitochondrial and nuclear markers (mtDNA, 3110 bp; 6 nDNA loci, 3961 bp) in P. tiliguerta sampled from thirty-two localities across Corsica and Sardinia.

Results

We find much greater intraspecific genetic divergence than between sister species of other Mediterranean island Podarcis, i.e., between P. lilfordi and P. pityusensis. We detected three mtDNA clusters in Corsica (North, South-East and South-West) and either two or three in Sardinia (North vs. South) depending on the clustering method. Only one or two nDNA groups were identified within each main island (again, depending on the method). A Bayesian time-calibrated multispecies coalescent tree was obtained from mtDNA and provided statistical support for a Miocene origin of the species (13.87 Ma, 95% HPD: 18.30–10.77 Ma). The posterior mean divergence time for the Corsican and Sardinian lineages was 12.75 Ma ago (95% HPD: 16.94–9.04 Ma).

Conclusion

The results support the evolutionary distinctiveness of Corsican and Sardinian populations and also indicate a lack of post-divergence migration despite periods of contact being possible. Further to this, species delimitation analyses of Corsican and Sardinian lineages provided statistical support for their recognition as distinct (sister) taxa. Our results provide new insights into the biogeography of the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, and contribute important findings relevant to the systematics and evolution of this speciose lizard genus.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0860-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sensitization pattern of crustacean-allergic individuals can indicate allergy to molluscs

This study investigated the sensitization pattern of crustacean-allergic patients according to tolerance to molluscs. Thirty-one patients with anaphylaxis to crustaceans (14 with mollusc allergy and 17 with mollusc tolerance) were studied using skin prick tests (SPTs), specific IgEs (sIgEs) and SDS-PAGE immunoblotting. IgE-reactive shrimp proteins were identified by proteomic analyses. Patients with mollusc allergy presented more frequently SPTs positive to molluscs and higher sIgE titres in response to both molluscs and crustaceans. Shrimp-sIgE and rPen a1-sIgE values of 1.57 kUA /l and 4.38 kUA /l, respectively, showed positive likelihood ratios of 4.3 and 10.9 for the identification of mollusc allergy. Patients with mollusc allergy reacted more frequently to tropomyosin in immunoblots than did patients without it (93% vs 35%, respectively, P = 0.004). Reactivity to proteins other than tropomyosin (n = 14) was not different between the two groups. Among patients with crustacean anaphylaxis, patients with mollusc allergy and mollusc tolerance show a different pattern of sensitization, something that may help identify them.

Flexible ureteroscopy for renal stones

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this prospective study are to present our experience with retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), and to analyze its results and complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

150 patients with renal stones were treated with RIRS. 111 cases showed single stones whilst multiple stones were observed in 39 cases. The mean size was 19.12mm (r: 5-74). Success rate was defined as the absence of residual stones or the presence of fragments ≤2mm.

RESULTS

in 21 (14%) patients RIRS could not be performed on first attempt because it was impossible to place the ureteral access sheath. The immediate success rate was 85.7%, and 91.6% at three months later. The average operating time was 85min (r: 25-220). Postoperative complications were observed in 22 cases (14.6%), although most of them were classified as Clavien 1 and 2 (19 cases), and only 2% (3 cases) showed Clavien 4 complications (sepsis requiring admission in the intensive care unit). 10 patients underwent a second procedure in order to complete the treatment. Thus, the number of procedures per patient was 1.06. There were no late complications.

CONCLUSIONS

the treatment of renal stones with flexible ureteroscopy using the ureteral access sheath shows a high successful rate with a low complication rate. In order to define its indication more precisely, randomized studies comparing RIRS with minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures (miniperc and microperc) would be necessary.

Liver transplantation using Chagas-infected donors in uninfected recipients: a single-center experience without prophylactic therapy

Organ shortage is the first cause of death on liver transplant waiting lists. As a consequence, we recently decided to expand liver acceptance to those organs that could potentially transmit infectious diseases to their recipients. On January 2010, we initiated a prospective protocol using livers from Chagas-infected donors for transplanting uninfected recipients without using prophylactic therapy. During a 13-month period, 9 of 37 (24%) liver transplants were performed within this protocol. After transplant, each recipient was sequentially and strictly monitored for infection transmission using the Strout method and promptly treated with benznidazole if this occurs. During follow-up, two patients died without Chagas infection and only two (donor-derived T. cruzi transmission rate: 2/9; 22%) patients developed donor-derived Chagas transmission without clinical symptoms. The median follow-up time of the seven live patients was 15 months (range: 13-20). At present, all are symptoms-free with excellent allograft function and without evidence of Chagas disease. In conclusion, we consider that Chagas-infected donors are a promising source of liver grafts that could reduce the growing mortality on liver waiting lists in America. Relevant data from larger prospective studies are required to confirm these preliminary excellent results.

Comparison of four nutritional screening tools to detect nutritional risk in hospitalized patients: a multicentre study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of malnutrition in hospitals is high. No nutritional screening tool is considered the gold standard for identifying nutritional risk. The aims of this study were to evaluate nutritional risk in hospitalized patients using four nutritional screening tools.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Four nutritional screening tools were evaluated: nutritional risk screening (NRS-2002), the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST), the subjective global assessment (SGA) and the mini nutritional assessment (MNA). Patients were assessed within the first 36 h after hospital admission. Date of admission, diagnosis, complications and date of discharge were collected. To compare the tools, the results were reorganized into: patients at risk and patients with a good nutritional status. The statistical analysis included the χ(2)-test to assess differences between the tests and the κ statistic to assess agreement between the tests.

RESULTS

The study sample comprised 400 patients (159 women, 241 men), mean age 67.3 (16.1) years. The prevalence of patients at nutritional risk with the NRS-2002, MUST, SGA and MNA was 34.5, 31.5, 35.3 and 58.5%, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between the four nutritional screening tools (P<0.001). The agreement between the tools was quite good except for the MNA (MNA-SGA κ=0.491, NRS-2002-SGA κ=0.620 and MUST-SGA κ=0.635). Patients at nutritional risk developed more complications during admission and had an increased length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of nutritional risk in hospitalized patients was high with all the tools used. The best agreement between the tools was for NRS-2002 with SGA and MUST with SGA. At admission, NRS-2002 and MUST should be used to screen for nutritional status.

Caracterización estructural de los sistemas ganaderos de las dehesas andaluzas

Mediante análisis multivariante se establecieron tres tipos de sistemas ganaderos en las dehesas andaluzas. En 49% de las explotaciones se detectó un sistema ganadero denominado conservacionista de dehesa que corresponde a pequeñas explotaciones de bovino y ovino con bajo nivel de intensificación y carga ganadera ajustada a la disponibilidad alimenticia usando ocasionalmente suplementación estratégica. Las explotaciones (21%) del sistema conservacionista de sierra y montaña son también de reducida dimensión, con predominio de pequeños rumiantes y bajo empleo de tecnología. El sistema productivista (30% de las explotaciones) corresponde a ganaderías con predominio de bovinos, de mayor dimensión y nivel tecnológico que utilizan elevados niveles de suplementación pues sus cargas ganaderas están por encima de la capacidad de la dehesa. Los tipos establecidos pueden servir de punto de partida para la caracterización técnica y económica de los sistemas ganaderos considerando su viabilidad actual y futura.